Garrett County

The meeting centered on a public hearing for a special exception request by TPE Energy for a community solar installation on a 61-acre parcel, with 20 acres designated for a 2-megawatt capacity solar array covering less than 13 acres. The applicant emphasized that this constitutes a community level solar program, which is permitted in the Town Residential Zone, unlike industrial solar programs which are prohibited. Key discussion points included addressing concerns from a previous denial by focusing on a comprehensive checklist methodology, specifically presenting a view shed analysis confirming the array will not be visible from Deep Creek Lake. The applicant also presented a robust landscape plan using vegetation consistent with the area to screen the array, and included a property evaluation study concluding no negative impact on adjacent property values. The discussion also covered the safety of solar materials and minimal electromagnetic field impact, and the applicant committed to community investment and establishing conditional uses such as a bond for landscape management.

The meeting covered the approval of the public meeting agenda and the minutes of a previous session. Key action items included the bid award for the Meadow Mountain Trail phase three project, which was federally funded and awarded to Outdoor Contractors for $197,645.44. The Board also approved the reappointment of Tim Winterbar to the Garrett County Planning Commission for a five-year term. Furthermore, the Board adopted the fiscal year 2021 tax rates and the fiscal year 2021 operating and capital budget, noting that no public comments were received following the preliminary hearing. Announcements included an update on researching the addition of Maryland television channels and a reminder regarding the importance of completing census forms. The Board clarified its adherence to the Governor's COVID-19 guidelines regarding phases of recovery and dining restrictions. A public hearing was scheduled for Thursday regarding Community Development Block Grant money through the CARES Act.

The Deep Creek Watershed Board of Zoning Appeals conducted a public hearing. The primary discussion involved docketed case VR-849, an application submitted by Doug Storck on behalf of David & Lorraine Fike, seeking a Variance to permit the construction of a residential porch and deck addition to be located within 15 feet of the rear property line for the property at 904 Stockslager Road. Following the hearing, this application was denied. There was no Old Business discussed. In New Business, the date for the next scheduled meeting in December 2025 was noted.

The regular meeting of the Garrett County Planning Commission addressed subdivision matters. Specifically, the Commission unanimously approved a request from the heirs of Ralph & Ruth Spiker for a waiver to allow access to certain parcels using an 11' wide section of Kate's Mountain Road, which was narrower than the minimum required private road width of 12'. No Deep Creek Watershed Zoning Appeals Cases were discussed.

During the administrative session, Watershed Coordinators presented an update on the Deep Creek Quality Analysis, noting generally good to fair lake conditions but also indicating degrading trends in water quality factors such as clarity, dissolved oxygen, and nutrient levels, particularly in southern lake areas between 2009 and 2024. The County Administrator reviewed administrative and managerial matters. In the public session, the Board approved the revised Public Meeting Agenda for January 5, 2026. An announcement was made that the budget process for Fiscal Year 2027 has commenced, and the date for the next Public Meeting was set for February 2, 2026.